Three UNLV faculty members have been selected to receive Barrick Research Awards for the 1995-96 academic year.
The three recipients are Darrell W. Pepper, associate professor of mechanical engineering, Peter Shiue, professor of mathematical sciences, and Hal K. Rothman, associate professor of history.
Pepper and Shiue were selected to receive the Barrick Distinguished Scholar Award, an honor that carries with it an unrestricted cash award of $5,000 to each recipient.
Rothman will receive the Barrick Scholar Award, a tribute that carries with it an unrestricted cash award of $2,000.
The three professors were chosen by a faculty selection committee.
In nominating Pepper for the award, Robert Boehm, chairman of the mechanical engineering department said, "In Darrel we have one of the world authorities on the development of numerical approaches for solving complex engineering problems."
"He has specifically focused on the method of finite element analysis, primarily for the solution of thermal and fluid flow problems," Boehm said, explaining that Pepper has applied this to problems of environmental pollution, aerospace issues, and general engineering.
Pepper, who has been at UNLV since 1992, earned his doctoral degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Missouri, Rolla.
Shiue, who chairs the mathematical sciences department, has authored 70 scholarly articles papers during his career, including 35 written while at UNLV. He also has written 10 undergraduate textbooks in Chinese. Among his awards have been grants from the National Science Foundation and the Cray Corp.
The focus of his work is in the areas of polynomials in finite fields, permutation polynomials, elementary number theory, and enumerative combinatorial theory.
Shiue, who has been at UNLV since 1985, earned his doctoral degree at Southern Illinois University.
Rothman has written nine books and 20 articles and serves as editor of the lead journal in his field, "Environmental History." In 1995, his work was cited on the "CBS Evening News" in a segment about federal history, in a "New York Times" opinion-editorial page piece about resorts, and he was interviewed by National Public Radio on nuclear and hazardous waste issues.
Among his books are "On Rims and Ridges: The Los Alamos Area Since 1880," "Preserving Different Pasts: America's National Monuments," and "I'll Never Fight Fire With My Bare Hands Again: Recollections of the First Forest Rangers of the Inland Northwest." One of his current projects is a comprehensive history of tourism in the 20th-century American West.
Rothman, who has been at UNLV since 1992, earned his doctoral degree at the University of Texas, Austin.
Funding for the Barrick Research Awards is provided to UNLV by Las Vegas philanthropist Marjorie Barrick.
For additional information on the Barrick Research Awards, contact the provost's office at 895-3301.
